It’s here. Valentine’s Day is upon us and as many as are giddy with anticipation are those giddy with apprehension. It’s a fact that some people enjoy Valentine’s a bit more than others, and others a bit less. Who doesn’t have that one friend who must wear red to mark Valentine’s? Or that other friend who does the most to act like the day doesn’t even exist, and scoffs at anybody who even breathes in a manner to suggest they recognize that it is Valentine’s? And of course, as it is every year, jokes abound on how some men will disappear from the lives of their women on the 12th and not reappear till the 16th. And as it is every year, florists and hotels are getting ready to make a killing. Same old, same old.

I am one of those people who loves love. I love watching chick flicks, if only for the promise of a happy ending. I love walking in town on Sunday afternoon and seeing couples walking hand in hand. And even though I can’t say I am super-excited about this day, I love the idea that there is a day when people have an excuse to go all out, and to expect others to go all out for them. Yes, I am talking to you who is expecting some magical surprise from your husband. It’s okay, there is no judgment coming from me, haha. I hope he comes through. I mean, you deserve it, don’t you? [Read more…]

Like this:

Do you ever feel that as a society we have made love a commodity? I do. I look around at all these adverts that are “maximizing” on Valentine’s Day to make sales and it makes me sad. We were actually discussing it in class the other day. This semester I have a unit in advertising and we are currently looking at the criticisms of advertising. One of the major criticisms is that advertising has commercialized things that should not be turned into commodities. These are love, beauty, friendship among others. I agree fully with this criticism.

Seasons such as Christmas and Valentine’s have become increasing commercial. This week, companies have been pushing their products by making us see how those products can be used to show love. Everywhere you turn, hotels have offers on “dinner for two” and “romantic getaways”. [Read more…]

Do you read stuff you wrote sometime back and go, “wow, this is awesome! Did I write this?” Well, I do. This post is one of those.

Here is a piece I wrote as a guest blog for my great friend Shiku (shikungigi.com) during the Valentine season. I’m posting it here to give those of you who didn’t see it a chance to read it. I’m also posting it for me; to remind myself to appreciate my husband and do nice stuff for him. Life moves so fast and leaves us overwhelmed and sometimes we take for granted the people we love. This post was for Valentines Day but applies everyday. Here is a reminder to pause and give some love to those love us. Enjoy. [Read more…]